Ever-increasing output from self-propelled foragers has seen contractors and farmers invest in bigger, higher-spec trailers to keep up.

At the moment, 14t and 16t models are the most popular, but there is a growing market for 18- and 20-tonners, particularly in eastern counties.

This increase in capacity has also seen a rise in specification, with most trailers of this type being ordered with commercial running gear, load-sensing air brakes and flotation tyres.

Below, we’ve priced up a few popular models from some of the key makers featuring the above spec.

In all cases, these trailers feature removable silage sides, so they are relatively simple to swap between silage, grain or root-crop haulage.

Some are also set up for faster removal with pallet tines.

See also: Tips for buying a set of second-hand triple mowers

Prices

Where possible, we have included on-farm prices excluding VAT, which give a fairly accurate idea of what buyers will need to pay.

However, some makers are reluctant to put these figures in print, so we’ve had to include some retail prices (those before dealer discounts are applied) and some “from” costs, which are the starting price for the range.

In these cases, we’ve added a note to explain what the price means.

Regardless of the brand or pricing structure, we reckon most of these high-spec models will come in at about £20,000 for a 14-tonner and about £1,000-£1,500 more for 16t.

It’s a similar jump again for 18t models. Premium brand tyres and features such as ABS brakes will bump these costs up a bit.

1. AW Ultima

AW trailers are built in Madley, Herefordshire, and the Ultima is its best-selling silage trailer.

These have a curved monocoque body with mild steel floors and sides and are available from 12t to 18t. For those who want a tougher body, there is the option of upgrading to the Ultima Xtra that uses Hardox steel in its construction.

Typical silage spec

• Body Curved monocoque with 5mm floor and 4mm sides
• Tailgate Hydraulic
• Chassis 250x150mm rectangular hollow-section steel
• Tipping rams Twin rams
• Suspension Four-leaf parabolic springs and adjustable sprung drawbar
• Axles 127mm 10-stud commercial
• Tyres 560mm flotations
• Brakes Load-sensing hydraulic and air brakes with 420x180mm drums
• Unladen weight From 5.3t for 14t and from 5.7t for 16t
• Ancillaries LED lights, steel mudguards with rubber flaps and two-pack paint.

On-farm prices

• 14t – £20,000
• 16t – £21,500

2. Richard Western Suffolk HS Plus

Richard Western’s Suffolk silage trailers are offered in a wide range of sizes, from 11t to 24t, and they are constructed using pressed steel sections to give a good strength-to-weight ratio.

They are made at the firm’s factory near Framlingham, Suffolk, and feature a single tipping ram as standard.

HS Plus models include load-sensing air brakes and 560mm flotation tyres as standard.

Typical silage spec

• Body Monocoque with 4mm floor and 3mm sides (option to upgrade to 6mm and 4mm)
• Tailgate Hydraulic with auto lock and safety check valve
• Chassis Double C-section
• Tipping ram Single five-stage ram
• Suspension Mono leaf springs and height-adjustable sprung drawbar
• Axles 10-stud commercial axles with 2m track width
• Tyres 560mm flotations
• Brakes Load-sensing hydraulic and air brakes with 420x180mm drums
• Unladen weight 5.5t for 14t and 6.3t for 16t
• Ancillaries LED road lights, mudguards, chassis shock absorption pads and two-pack paint

On farm prices

• 14t – £19,750
• 16t – £21,000

3. Ktwo Roadeo Curve

Rather than a traditional monocoque construction, Ktwo’s Roadeo Curve trailers use a half-pipe design constructed out of folded high-tensile steel.

The aim of this is to reduce weight, without compromising the strength of the trailer.

Curve models are available from 12-20t in twin-axle format and go up to 24t in tri-axle format.

The Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire firm also builds a compact and push trailer, which is its biggest-selling model.

Typical silage spec

• Body Folded high-tensile steel with 5mm floor and 4mm sides
• Tailgate Hydraulic with four-point locking and grain chute
• Chassis Rectangular hollow-section steel
• Tipping rams Single
• Suspension Parabolic suspension and sprung drawbar
• Axles 120mm 10-stud commercial axles with 2m track width
• Tyres 560mm flotations
• Brakes Load-sensing hydraulic and air brakes with 420x180mm drums
• Unladen weight 6.1t for 14t and 6.25t for 16t
• Ancillaries LED lights and beacon, bolt-on rear light guards, arched front window, front hose storage arm and two-pack paint.

On-farm prices

• 14t – £20,000
• 16t – £21,500

4. Warwick Mono

Ktwo bought out Warwick trailers in 2019, but the Southampton firm’s own range of trailers are still being built.

The 14t and 16t Mono silage trailers use a more traditional design than Ktwo’s Rodeo Curve and come in at £19,000 and £20,000, respectively.

These prices include air brakes and flotation tyres. 

5. Bailey TB

Sleaford trailer maker Bailey offers quick-release silage sides to fit its Root and Beeteaper trailers, but it’s the classic TB model that is most commonly used for hauling grass and maize.

Standard kits feature 900mm-deep panels with a mesh front, but different variations can be specified at the time of ordering.

TB models are available from 6t to 20t on twin axles and up to 24t on tri axles.

Typical silage spec

• Body Monocoque with 4mm floor and 3mm sides
• Tailgate Hydraulic with auto lock
• Chassis Rectangular hollow-section steel
• Tipping rams Twin chrome-plated rams
• Suspension Three-leaf axle suspension and leaf-sprung drawbar
• Axles 10-stud commercial axles
• Tyres 560mm flotations
• Brakes Load-sensing hydraulic and air brakes with 420 x 180mm drums
• Unladen weight 5.5t for 14t and 6.5t for 16t
• Ancillaries LED lights and beacon, hydraulic hose carrier, mudguards and two-pack paint

On-farm prices

• 14t – £18,500
• 16t – £19,500

6. Stewart GX range

Aberdeenshire firm Stewart specialises in building high-spec trailers and its standard GX range is a popular silage trailer.

This has a tapered monocoque construction made from box-section steel and has a hinge pin that’s the full width of the chassis.

It’s available from 11t to 20t capacity and Pro models can go up to 24t.

Typical silage spec

• Body Tapered monocoque with 5mm floor and 3mm sides
• Tailgate Hydraulic
• Chassis 250x150mm box section
• Tipping rams Twin three-stage chrome-plated rams
• Suspension Granning overslung sprung suspension with four leaf springs and coil-sprung drawbar
• Axles Granning 125mm 10-stud commercial axles
• Tyres 560mm flotations (upgrade from standard 385/65 R22.5)
• Brakes Hydraulic and option of air braking with ABS and load sensing, 420x180mm drums (air brakes upgrade from standard)
• Unladen weight  4.95t for 14t and 5.5t for 16t
• Ancillaries LED lights, rear light guards, beacon, mud wings, spray flaps, sprung drawbar, two-pack paint and inspection ladder

On-farm prices

• 14t – from £17,550
• 16t – from £19,050

The above prices include silage sides, but not air brakes or flotation tyres

7. Marshall QM

Marshall’s QM trailer range runs from 6t to 18.5t and comes in two different body shapes.

Standard QM models have a long-low profile, while the QM00s and short and deep. All models over 11t use a single tipping ram as standard.

The Aberdeenshire firm uses a dealer fit concept, where almost all parts can be bolted on, meaning buyers can upgrade at any time.

Typical silage spec

• Body Monocoque with 5mm floor and 4mm sides
• Tailgate Hydraulic with 150mm longer arms for greater clearance
• Chassis Heavy-duty channel with 8mm or 10mm reinforcing plates
• Tipping rams Single tipping ram
• Suspension Four-leaf parabolic axle springs and sprung drawbar
• Axles 120mm 10-stud commercial axles
• Tyres 560/45 R22.5 flotations
• Brakes Load-sensing hydraulic and air brakes with 420x180mm drums
• Unladen weight 5.28 for 14t and 5.89 for 15t
• Ancillaries Lights, LED beacon, bolt-on mudguards, inspection ladder and two-pack paint.

Retail prices

• 14t – £23,816
• 16t – £24,680

The above prices are retail figures, so they’ll be a good bit less once dealer discount is applied.

8. Kane

Kane trailers is based in County Down, Northern Ireland, and its premium Halfpipe trailer is the tool of choice for those wanting to carry more than 14t.

These come with high-speed commercial running gear as standard, as well as air brakes and 560mm flotation tyres.

The body is made from high-tensile steel and all models have a single tipping ram as standard.

Typical silage spec

• Body Folded high-tensile steel
• Tailgate Hydraulic up-and-over door
• Chassis Box-section steel
• Tipping rams Single ram
• Suspension Multi-spring suspension and sprung drawbar
• Axles 10-stud commercial axles
• Tyres 560mm flotations
• Brakes Load-sensing hydraulic and air brakes with 406x120mm and 420x180mm drums
• Unladen weight About 4.5t for 14t and 5t for 16t
• Ancillaries LED lights and beacon, hydraulic hose carrier and mudguards

Retail prices

• 14t – from £19,000
• 16t – from £21,000

These prices are retail figures, so expect some dealer discount.